Publications by authors named "Bodhi Rubinstein"
Article Synopsis
- A population of neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) co-transmit two neurotransmitters, glutamate and GABA, but their inputs and functions are not fully understood.
- Using advanced tracing techniques in mice, researchers discovered that these neurons receive diverse inputs from various brain regions, with significant inputs from the superior colliculus and lateral hypothalamus.
- Optical activation of these inputs revealed that lateral hypothalamus involvement leads to active behavior, while superior colliculus stimulation results in brief activation and freezing behavior, indicating the complex integration of signals by VTA neurons related to motivation and behavior.
A two-neuron model of ventral tegmental area (VTA) opioid function classically involves VTA GABA neuron regulation of VTA dopamine neurons via a mu-opioid receptor dependent inhibitory circuit. However, this model predates the discovery of a third major type of neuron in the VTA: glutamatergic neurons. We found that about one-quarter of VTA neurons expressing the mu-opioid receptor are glutamate neurons without molecular markers of GABA co-release.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA unique population of ventral tegmental area (VTA) neurons co-transmits glutamate and GABA as well as functionally signals rewarding and aversive outcomes. However, the circuit inputs to VTA VGluT2+VGaT+ neurons are unknown, limiting our understanding of the functional capabilities of these neurons. To identify the inputs to VTA VGluT2+VGaT+ neurons, we coupled monosynaptic rabies tracing with intersectional genetic targeting of VTA VGluT2+VGaT+ neurons in mice.
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